Holy crap, you are so uninformed. Teachers have been working without a contract for almost 2 years, because the government won't negotiate with them. It's not that the government won't negotiate for all the reasons- they won't even sit down long enough to resolve ONE. The working conditions of a teacher in b.c. are fucking terrible. These are the people that go to school for 6 or so years, to teach YOUR KIDS. No one goes into teaching for money, it's for the benefit of everyone. They can't teach the way things are. My dad for example, is trying to teach a grade 5/6 SPLIT class of 31 students along with 3 special needs kids in his class. You are an ignorant fuck if you think that children can get a proper education with that many people in one class. It's just impossible to learn effectively with restrictions like that.
Another thing, is teachers aren't trying to make more money than everyone else. They're trying to be treated fairly. They haven't recieved a pay raise in the last 10 years that's a signifigant reflection of the obvious matter of inflation that's occuring. The vast majority of teachers I know work much more than 8-3. You have to take into account the extra marking they do, the basic classroom upkeep, parent-teacher conferences, not to mention hordes of extra curricular activities and involvement with administration.
Christ, I can't believe some people are so misinformed about what is being dealt with. Do your fucking research before you    voice your opinions so boisterously, and realize that the matters the teachers are fighting for are almost completely for the benefit of you and your children.